The gloves have been off for quite some time, and as the New York primary campaign wages on, there’s little suggestion the tides will change. Indeed, Texas Senator and Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz’s first appearance in the city was met with jeering and heckling. Even Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. had words for the candidate, calling him a “hypocrite.” He explains his position with us.

As the New York state primary inches closer and closer, many are talking about the possibility of a brokered convention with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan ascending to the GOP nomination. But could it really be John Kasich for president with Marco Rubio as his vice president? That’s how Seth Abramson, a political contributor at The Huffington Post and an assistant professor at the University of New Hampshire sees it, and he thinks the writing’s on the wall. The presidential candidates have continued campaigning in New York as the state approaches the critically important primaries — now just eight days away. Republican candidate Donald Trump has a sizeable double digit lead heading into next week’s Empire State vote, with thousands turning out for the billionaire businessman’s rallies. But is he starting to lose momentum? New York State Assemblyman Bill Nojay, a Republican and the co-chair for the Trump campaign in the state, has a look at the GOP race. Next, Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play Major League Baseball – a milestone in U.S. history that preceded the Civil Rights movement in the 50s and 60s. In anticipation of “Jackie Robinson,” a Ken Burns two-part documentary on the baseball icon (airing on PBS April 11 and 12), we look back at a conversation sportscaster Len Berman had with Rachel Robinson, Jackie Robinson’s widow. Finally, have you heard of The Door? Maybe not, but for thousands of young people here in New York City, the organization represents a lifeline and alternative to living on the streets. Executive Director Julie Shapiro and Ely Olivero, who was once homeless and turned her life around with help from the non-profit, talk about how The Door is opening many doors for marginalized young adults and teenagers in the city.

As the New York state primary inches closer and closer, many are talking about the possibility of a brokered convention with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan ascending to the GOP nomination. But could it really be John Kasich for president with Marco Rubio as his vice president? That’s how Seth Abramson, a political contributor at The Huffington Post and an assistant professor at the University of New Hampshire sees it, and he thinks the writing’s on the wall.

The presidential candidates have continued campaigning in New York as the state approaches the critically important primaries — now just eight days away. Republican candidate Donald Trump has a sizeable double digit lead heading into next week’s Empire State vote, with thousands turning out for the billionaire businessman’s rallies. But is he starting to lose momentum? New York State Assemblyman Bill Nojay, a Republican and the co-chair for the Trump campaign in the state, has a look at the GOP race.

In the second of a two-part interview, former U.S. Senator and Nebraska Gov. Bob Kerrey discusses why he’s backing Hillary Clinton for president despite being critical of the way in which the former secretary of state handled the turmoil in Libya and her email servers. Kerrey, a Democrat, also explains why he believes Republicans in Congress are failing to do their jobs by refusing to consider President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court. Also, PFLAG, the nation’s largest organization for families, friends and allies of the LGBTQ community, honored entertainers, media stars, and businesses at its 8th Annual Straight for Equality Gala. Reporter Andrea Vasquez talked to stars and supporters on the red carpet about the important role of LGBTQ allies in the fight for equal rights. Next, in the second installment of our two-part interview, media mogul, and author of The Sleep Revolution Arianna Huffington tells us how we can all sleep our way to being the best person we can be and how a good dose of rest can transform your life one night at a time. Finally, when Jackie Robinson stepped up to the plate in 1947 and broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier, it was a game-changer for the sport and the country and has since inspired numerous films, books, plays, and songs. Why did Robinson and the rest of the then-Brooklyn Dodgers generate so much passion and what was the impact on American culture? To find out, we sit down with David Krell, journalist and author of Our Bums: The Brooklyn Dodgers in History, Memory and the Popular Culture.

In the second of a two-part interview, former U.S. Senator and Nebraska Gov. Bob Kerrey discusses why he’s backing Hillary Clinton for president despite being critical of the way in which the former secretary of state handled the turmoil in Libya and her email servers. Kerrey, a Democrat, also explains why he believes Republicans in Congress are failing to do their jobs by refusing to consider President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court.

Could there be a retrial for former NYPD Officer Peter Liang? Liang was convicted of manslaughter in February for fatally shooting an unarmed man in a public housing stairwell. Juror Michael Vargas told the New York Daily News that his father was sent to prison for accidentally shooting a friend to death nearly 40 years ago, a detail he did not share with the judge prior to joining the trial. Now the lawyers for Liang have filed an appeal alleging juror misconduct. We talk to New York Daily News reporter Christina Carrega-Woodby who has the latest on the case.

GOP presidential candidate and front-runner Donald Trump held his first rally at Grumman Studios in Nassau County last night in preparation for the New York primary later this month. This was Trump’s first address in his home state and a reminder to New York supporters to turn out to for him.

Next, Playwright Eve Ensler, best known for her 1996 play “The Vagina Monologues,” puts the pen to paper again in an opinion piece for The Guardian titled “Let Donald Trump Be Our Unifier.” See what this women’s rights activist means when she says that the New York real estate mogul should unify us, how she feels about the upcoming election and societal norms that result in attacks against women.

Finally,Jackie Robinson is credited with breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball and faced years of backlash for it both on and off the field. Veteran Sportswriter Ira Berkow has written extensively about Robinson and joins us to explain how this famous baseball player dealt with portrayal of himself in the media and his role in both baseball and the civil rights movement.

Jackie Robinson is credited with breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball and faced years of backlash for it both on and off the field. Veteran Sportswriter Ira Berkow has written extensively about Robinson and joins us to explain how this famous baseball player dealt with portrayal of himself in the media and his role in both baseball and the civil rights movement.

GOP presidential candidate and front-runner Donald Trump held his first rally at Grumman Studios in Nassau County last night in preparation for the New York primary later this month. This was Trump’s first address in his home state and a reminder to New York supporters to turn out to for him.

Funders

MetroFocus is made possible by James and Merryl Tisch, the Anderson Family Fund, Judy and Josh Weston, Bernard and Irene Schwartz, the Sylvia A. and Simon B. Poyta Programming Endowment to Fight Anti-Semitism, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, the Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, The Dorothy Schiff Endowment for News and Public Affairs Programming, Jody and John Arnhold, Rosalind P. Walter, the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation, Laura and Jim Ross, and Shailaja and Umesh Nagarkatte.